George ASHTON

                   Lived in Highland Twp, Defiance Co, OH.
In the 1830's George and Jacob Slye (grandfather of the sources)  journeyed across the country to the Missouri River.  Uncle George  (Wm J. Ashton and T.H. Ashton sources) located on a stream called Yeteenishance, where there was a trading post called Hamburg, a few miles inland and fifteen miles
from a point later known as Nebraska City.  Here Uncle George lived and was highly known and highly respected.  He was intelligent, competent, fearless, yet kind and affable.  When George passed the 90 year old mark, he was selected to make the 4th of Juy address.  He read the Declaration of Independence in a clear strong voice and made an address, which has been household talk from that time to the present.   At a later date, Grandfather Slye induced some of his relatives of the same name to emigrate to the banks of the Missouri, he being their guide accross the country.  They located 40 miles below NEbraska City, where they became wealthy and prominant.  One of them for many years was a prominant judge in Missouri Courts.  One of this family became a noted Missouri desparado.  He was one of the old Free Masons of the country.  He could talk the Indian language to get along with them and was never molested inthe least by any tribe.